Paper-perforating machine



Oct. 11, 1927.

S. A. RAGAN PAPER PERFORATING MACHINE Filed Aug 7, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet J,

lnve ntor Attorney 11 1927. Oct s. A. RAGAN PAPER PERFORATING MACHINE Filed Aug. 7,.1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES SIDNEY A. RAGAN, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

PAPER-PERFORATING MACHINE.

Application filed August 7, 1926. Serial No. 127,803.

This invention relates to an improved paper perforating machine of the kind to be used in conjunction with a piano, organ, or other keyboard instruments for perforating paper for player piano rolls.

My principal object is to generally improve upon the paper perforating machine illustrated and claimed in Patent No. 1,558,504 granted to me on October 27th, 1925. Briefly, in the patented device, a structure is shown which is in the form of an attachment for a musical instrument of the class described, this attachment embodying, among other parts, a frame which includes a base over which the paper to be perforated is adapted to be passed. Mounted on this base is a vertically movable horizontally disposed bar carrying paper punching bars, and there being latches for effecting a connection between the punching bars and the carrying bar therefor, together with key operated means for actuating the latches according to the particular key which is depressed on the keyboard.

The present invention also embodies a base over which the paper to be perforated is adapted to pass, this being formed with openings with which the punch bars are alined. These punch bars are carried by a horizontally disposed vertically movable bar member which is reciprocated by a novel eccentric structure. This is one improvement over the patented devices, and another improvement is the latch construction, together with the means for operating and guiding the latches.

A further feature of construction is the electric magnetic means for operating flexible elements which control the action of the latches in one direction.

Other objects and advantages will be mentioned and will become apparent from the following drawings.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same Figure 1 is a. perspective with portions shown in section and elevation of a part of the structure showing the latch mechanism, operating means and clutch bar structure plainly,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentaiy view with portionsshown in section and elevation dis closing the frame structure,

Fig. 3'is a front elevation ofone end portion of the structure,

Fig. 1 is a detail view of certain of tails.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the reference characterl (les ignates a part of the frame structure and the reference character 2 designates the base over which the paper to be perforated is adapted to pass, suitable mechanism (not shown) being employed for moving the pa per. At the center of the base are holes 3 to accommodate the lower prong equipped ends of the punch bars 4. Above the openings 3 is a cross member 5 provided with the de holes for passage of the punch bars inorfdito guide these bars. Supported for vertical movement and in a horizontal plane over the guide member 5 is a carrier bar 6 for the multiplicity of punch bars. Carried by the end portions of this carrier bar are brackets 7 provided with rightangularly disposed end portions carrying rollers '8 in contact with cams or eccentrics 9 on a rotary shaft 10 supported on the frame. As in the patent before referred to individual s pri'ng's 11 are'connected with the upper'end's of the punch bars and the punch bars aresl'idably mounted on the carrier bar 6. Moreover, the punch bars are providedwi'th notches in which the inner ends of right angularly disposed latches 12 are seated. The latchesa-re moved in a direction to disengagethem from i the notches by'fiattened springs 13 'as'shovvn plainly in Fig. 2. i v

In the present construction, a shaft 14 is also rotatably mounted for oscillation on the frame at a point just above the guide memher 5 as shown plainlyin Fig. 2, and this shaft is equipped with a multiplicity of disks 15 formed with notches'16 in their peripheral portions. As shown in Figs. 1 and- 2, a disk is provided for each latch and a latch provided for each punch bar. Also, as shown in Fig. 4, a pair of comb-like guide members 17 and 18 are employed for cooperation with the latches 12 and 15 respectively.

In other words, the lowermost guide members shown in Figs. 2 and 4 cooperate with the latches and the upper ones cooperate with the peripheral portions of the disks.

7 Referring now to Fig. 1, it will be seen that a flexible element in the form of a wire or connected.

equivalent material 19, is connected with each disk and is passed through a guide opening in another guide member and upwardly and at its upper end is connected with the free end of a flexible armature carried by the upright 22. This armature cooperates with an electro magnet 23 with which the electric conductors 24: and 25 are These conductors are in turn connected with a switch on a key on the keyboard in a manner not shown. There is an electric circuit including a magnet for each key on the instrument.

The operation of the machine is as follows :The paper to be perforated passes over the base plate between the apertured bar 3-and the guide member 5, and it isobvious that when one of the punch bars comes down, it will perforate the paper. In order to control the particular bar to come into action, the electric circuit is brought into play.

For instance, by depressing one of the keys lated, it is pushed into the notch in the complemental punch. bar, thus coupling the punch bar with the vertically movable carrier bar 6. The carrier bar is operated throughthe medium of the cam and roller construction shown in Fig. 2. When the switch is opened, the circuit is broken and the parts assumetheir normalpositions.

It is believed that by considering the description and connection with the drawings,

persons familiar with devices of this class will-be able to obtain a clear understanding of the same. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it

is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed, may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is 1. In a paper perforating machine of the class described, a frame, a base plate on said frame over which the paper to be perforated is adapted to be passed, said base plate formed with openings, punch bars su ported for vertical movement through sai openings, a latch cooperative with each punch bar andextending at right angles thereto, spring means for normally moving the latch to disengage it from its complemental punch bar, a shaft, disks mounted on said shaft, "each disk having a notched portion in which one end of the latch is located, and means for oscillating the disk to move said latch in a direction against the tension of the spring to engage the latch with its punch bar.

2. In a paper perforating machine of the .claSs described, a frame, abase plate over which the. paper. to be perforated is adapted to pass, said base plate being formed with openings, a carrier bar mounted for vertical movement upon the frame, a notched punch bar on said carrier bar, said punch bar being alined with one of the openings'in the base plate, a latch on said carrier bar extend ing at right angles from the punch bar and receivable at one end in the notch formed in the punch bar, a shaft disposed in parallelism with the carrier bar, a disk on the shaft, a notch in the peripheralportion of the disk in which the opposite end of the latch is received, spring means for moving the latch in one direction, and a flexible element connected with the disk'for moving the latch in the opposite direction.

3. In a paper perforating machine of the class described, a supporting frame, a base plate on said frame, said base plate being provided with a multiplicity of openings over which the paper is adapted to pass, a horizontally disposed carrier bar, punch bars carried by said carrier bar and in alinement with the openings in the base plate, brackets on the carrier 'bar, rollers carried by the brackets, a shaft mounted for rotation on the frame above the carrier bar, and cams on said shaft cooperable with said rollers for moving said carrier bar downwardly.

In testimony whereof Iaflix my signature.

SIDNEY A. RAGAN. 

